Railway signal apparatus.



PATENTED JUNE 5, 1906.

5. L. NfiLTIfiG. RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIGii FILED FEB.16,1B06.

UNITED sures PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL 'L. NOLTlNG, OF ELGIN ILLINOIS;

RAILWAY SlGNAL APPARATU$..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1996.

Application filed February 16, 1906. Serial l lo. 301,366-

paratus, and is applicable to both single and double tracksystems-Wherever side tracks or branches are used in connectiontherewith.

The objects of my invention are to enable the engineer of a locomotiveormotor-car to determine the position of each switch as he approaches itand while still at a sufficient distance therefrom to ailord ample timein which to stop his train should such necessity arise and to givepositive evidence of the fact should the apparatus be out of order froman cause and fail to work.

11 ordinary switch signal devices provision is made for causing anaudible signal to be sounded when the switch which is being approachedis open. If a bell is used for a signal, the ringing of that bell isevidence of danger. -If the bell does not rin that fact is taken asevidence that the switc is closed and that the train can proceed insafety. This is the system I employ in m improved railway signalapparatus an app Patent for which was filed in the United States PatentOffice, September 18, 1905, Serial No. 278,831. The element of uncertainty, however, enters largely into all ap 1iances, depending upon theconduction of Elli,- tric currents; and my object in the improvementherein set forth is to eliminate that factor by producing an arrangementthat will at all times and under all circumstances and conditions ofweather or mechanism notify the engineer by signal or a lack of the samethe precise condition of the switch which he is aproachin or of the aparatus u on which he is depen mg for that signal. T me I provide for asignal when the switch is open and also for asignal differentiatedtherefrom either in tone or in some other manner that will suil1-cient-ly indicate its meaning when, the switch is closed. It will atonce be obvious that when no signal is given on approaching a switch theengineer will at once perceive that some portion of the apparatus is outof order and will be warned to take proper precautions;

I accomplish the above-mentioned and other objects by the use of anelectric switch ication for Letters mechanically connected to thetrack-switch and electrically conhectcd to the track-rails and toelectric conductors paralleling the track-rails a duplexmagneto-electric sig nal apparatus and battery carried upon the engineor motor-car and having electric con nection with the track-wheels, andmeans for making electric connection between the sig- V nal apparatusand the paralleling conductors.

In the accompan ing drawings, which form a part of this speci cation,Figure l is a plan view, partly diagrammatic, of a double-track systemequipped with my improved duplex signaling apparatus. 2 1s a sideelevation, partly diagrammatic, of a locomotive and cab furnished withmy signaling device. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a double-throwknife-switch, showing the method of making electric and mechanicalconnection there" with, one side of the casing being removed to.disclose the mechanism. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the housingWhlOl'l protects the rockahle yieldingcontact-shoe.

Referring to t e drawings, 1 re resents the main rails of arailway-track, 2 t e ties, and 3 the switch-rails, to which atrack-switch a is attached by a bar 5. double-pole double-throw electricswitch 6 is provided with a, rod 2, which is secured to the switch-barby means of'bolts 8. It will be seen that by this arrangement anyreciprocating 'movement of'the said her 5 will be communicated to thepole-changing levers 9 of the switch 6, so that when the track-switch 4is closed as indicated in Fig. 1, the electric switch will be in contactat one pole a and when the mechanical switch is open the electric switchwill be in contact at the other ole b, as shown in dotted lines in Fig.3. etween the trackrails and in the vicinity of each tracloswitch andits adjacent electric switch are located two sections of electricconductors 10' 11, parallel with the track-rails and preferablyconstructed in the form known as a third rail, secured to the ties inthe usual manner.

scrihed may contact therewith whichever may he the direction of travel,since it may "'SGi'fifilZlHlBS be desirable to make use of the sameconductors for two distinct switches when the latter are within amoderate distance of each other. I prefer also to place the said thirdrails at some distance apart lengthwise of the track in order that itmay ear ma 1'83 site direction, and it is to avoi not be possible forcontact to be made with both sections of rails at the same time. To makeelectric connection between the said third rails and the opposite polesof the electric switch 6, wires 12 13 are strun in the usual manner uponpoles 14, place beside the track, and are connected to the third railsby wires 15 16, which run underground, where they are protected byinsulatin -con duits 17. The poles of the electric switch 6 areconnected in the same manner to the conductors 12 13 by wires 18 19,also carried underground, where they are provided with insulation 20.

An electric battery, which is a necessary adjunct for the device, may beinstalled at any convenient point adjacent to one of the track-switches,where it can be connected with the line-wire. On the score of economy,however, and for other cogent reasons I prefer to place the battery 21upon the motor. Thus a single battery will suffice for an indefinitenumber of switch connections. The signal device consists of two distinctsounders 22 23;va ing in tone in order that the ily differentiate thesignals. The sai sounders are connected to the battery by wires 25 26.

When this signal apparatus is used on a single-track'system, a duplexpole-changer having a sextuple set of contact-points 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,and 32 is placed in some convenient location within the engine-cab, thepoints of one ole 27 28 being connected with the contact-s oeshereinafter described and the axle-points 29 30 with the sounders 22 '23respectively, while thepoints of the other pole 31 32 are in electricconnection with the points 27 28 by the crossed wires 33 34. The objectof this switch is to enable the operator to change the relations of-thedifferentiated signals when the direction of the motor travel isreversed. Were this arran ement not in use, the si al for a closedswltch on the uprun Woul be the same as the open signal when the enginewas travelin in the op othe confusion which would result that thisdevice is placed in circuit. The battery 21 has a direct electricconnection with some ortion of the metal-work of the engine, asindicated at 35, which forms a connection through the framework with thetrack-wheels 36, thus insurin electric contactbetwee-n the battery 21 anthe track-rails 1. In order to complete the circuit, contact-shoes 37 38are provided at any convenient location, which are adapted to engagethe. sectional rails 10 and 11. la any convenient form of contact-shoebe used, I refer to emplo a convex roc ably and yie ding]v mounte shoefully described and claim in my applieatien above cited. In order toprotect said. contact-shoes from the elements, Iprovide for each shoe asuitable housing 39, having brackets 40, by which it can be readily attachcd to the locomotive or motor-car. The said contact-shoes 37 38 areelectrically connected by wires 41 42 with the points 27 28.

In Fig. 1, which re resents the trackswitches closed, it will be seenthat the switch-lever 9 is in contact with the ole a. When the shoe 38is in contact with t e rail 10, which it is ada ted to engage, asaforesaid, the current will pass through the conductor 42 to thebinding-post 28, thence through the Wire 33 to the point 31. Thecontact-lever 43 is shown in contact with points 31 32, but is soinsulated that no current can pass from. one of the said points 31 32 tothe other; but as there is a connection with the point 29 the currentwill pass there through to the battery. To complete the full descriptionof the circuit, we follow the connection from the battery to the metalcontact 35, thence through the metal parts of the locomotive and wheels36 to the track-rails 1, then by way of the bar 7 to the electric switch6, and through the conductor 19 to the line-wire 12, which is inelectric connection with the third rail 10 by means of the conductor 15,thus completing the electric circuit. Let us sup pose, on the otherhand, that the switch 4 is open on the approach of the train. In thatcase the lever 9 will make contact with the pole b of the electricswitch 6 and the circuit will be complete from. the battery 2] throughthe framework of the engine and trackwheels to the track-rails, the bar7. the conductor 18, the line-wire 13, the conductor 16, the third rail11, the contact-shoe 37, the conductor 41, and the wire 34 to thesounder 32, and thence to the battery again. When the switch 4 isclosed, the shoe 37 will con tact'with the rail 11, but nosignal will begiven, although the ap )aratus and connections remain unchange upon themotorvehicle. The connection, however, will be incomplete at theelectric switch 6, since, the connections between the said rail 11 andthe switch terminate at the pole I), while the con nections between thecompanion rail 10 tcr minate at the pole a, and there can be no electricconnection between the two third rails.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the form and constructionof my invention hereinbcfore described without dearting from the spiritor scope thereof, and i therefore do not wish to be limited to theprecise details of mechanical structure set forth; but,

ll avii'ig thus fully and clearly descr bed my in". ention, what claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus for the purpose specified inciuding the track-rails of arairway, a track switch therefor, a plurality of electric conductorsparalleling said track-rails, an electric switch mechanically connectedwith The sounder 22 and thence to the track-switch, a plur lily ofline-wires each having a separate ,lectric connection with the electricswitch and the said electric conductors, a motorehicle ada 'ted totravel on the said track-r iils, a sign apparatus car ried upon saiduiDtOf-Vfihlfllfi, an electric battcr electric connections for saidbattery, an means for making electric connection between the signalapparatus and the said electric conductors.

2. An a paratus for the pur ose specified includin t 1e track-rails of arai way, a trackswitch therefor, a plurality of electric conduc torsparallel to said track-rails, a doublepole electric switch mechanicallyconnected with the track-switch, a plurality of linewires each havin aseparate electric connection with the e ectric switch and the saidelectric'conduetors a motor-vehicle ada ted to travel on the saidtrack-rails, a signa apparatus and an electric battery carried uponsaid'motor-vehicle, electric connections for said battery, and means formaking electric connection between the signal apparatus and the saidelectric conductors. if

3. An ap aratus for the urpose s ecifiedg including t e track-rails o acloub e-track railway system, a track-switch therefor a plurality ofelectric conductors V 1paralleling said traclr-ra1ls, an electric switcmechanically connected with the track-switch, a

plurality of line-wires each having a distinct electric connection withthe electric switch and the said electric conductors, a motor-vehicleadapted to travel on the said trackrails, a signal apparatus carriedupon said motor-vehicle, an electric battery, electric connections forsaid battery, and means for making electric connection between thesignal apparatus and the said electric conductors.

4. An a paratus for the pu ose specified includi t e track-rails of arailway, a trackswitch t erefor, a plurality of electric conductorsparallel to said track-rails, a doublepole electric switch mechanicallyconnected to the track-switch, a plurality of line-Wires each having adistinct electric connection with the electric switch and the saidelectric conductors a motor-vehicle adapted to for, a plurality ofelectric conductors parallel with said track-rails, a doubleole electricswitch mechanically connects with the track-switch, a plurality ofline-wires each having a distinct electric connection with the electricswitch and the said electric conduc tors, a motor-vehicle adapted totravel on the said track-rails a dup ex signal apparatus carried uponsaid IIIOtQFVElHGlB; an else trio battery carried upon said vehicle,elec tric connection between the battery and the signal apparatus andbetween the battery and the track-rails and means for making electricconnection between the signal apps retus and the said electricconductors.

i5 6. An apparatus for the purpose specified said motor-vehicle,electric connection between the battery and the signal apparatus undbetween the battery and the track-rails and a pluralityi ofcontscieshees carried by said motor-vs sis and adapted to engage thesaid arallel conductors and electric connection etween saidcontact-shoes and said signal apparatus.

7. An apparatus for the purpose specified including the track-rails of arailway a lurality of track-switchestherefor, a lure ity of electricconductors parallel with t e trackrails, a plurality of double-throwdouble-pole electric switches each mechanically connected with atrack-switch and electrically connected with the rails of the main trackand with the said electric conductors, a plurality of line wires eachhavin a separate electric connection with the said electric switch andthe said electric conductors, a motor-vehicle adapted to travel on saidtrack-rails, a duplex rung neto-electric signal apparatus and anelectric battery carried upon said motor-vehicle, electric connectionbetween the battery and the signal apparatus and between the batteryanrlthe track-rails, a plurality of contactshoes carried by saidmotor-vehicle, each adapted to en age one of the said electric con-'doctors and e ectric connection between said contact-shoes and said sial apparatus.

8. An a paratus for t e pur ose specified includin t 10 track-rails of arai way, a trackswitch it erefor, a'plurality of electrical OOH.-ductors placed parallel with the track-rails, a doubleole double-throwelectric switch mechanica ly connected with the rails of the main trackand with the said electric condoctors, a motor-vehicle adapted to travelon the said track-rails, 2. (iii lex signal a para tns carried upon saidvehicle, an electric bat- ,tery'carried up I n the motor-vehicle, anelecthe signal apparatus and between the battery and the track-rails anda plurality of rockable yielding contact-shoes carried by saidmotor-vehicle and adapted to engage the said parallel conductorsseparately, a protective housing for each of said shoes, and electricconnection between said contact-shoes and said polechanger, and betweenthe polechanger and the battery.

9. An apparatus for the purposes ecified including track-rails of ara1lway, a p urality of track-switches therefor, a plurality of doul'llGlhI'OV double-pole electric switches each mechanically connected Withone of said traclvswitches, a motor-vehicle adapted to travel on saidrails and carrying a magnetoelcctric apparatus, a battery and a polechanger, and means for producin diflerentr eterl audible signals whenthe sai motor-ve hicle isapproaching one of the said trackswitches.

10. An apparatus for the purpose s ecified including the track-rails ofa doub e-track railway system, a plurality of track-switches therefor, aplurality of sectional electric conductors paralleling said track-railsand adjacent said tracksw"itches, a plurality of elec' tric switcheseach mechan cally connected emcee with one-of the track-switches, aplurality of line-Wires placed adjacent to each electric switch one ofsaid line-Wires being in electric connection with one pole of the saidelectric switch and also with one of the said sectional conductors andthe other of said line-wires being in electric connection with the otherpole of the electric switch and also with the other of said sectionalconductors, a motorvehicle adapted to travel on said track-rails, aduplex signal apparatus carried upon said motor-vehicle, an electricbattery therefor carried on said vehicle, electric connection betweenthe battery and the signal apparatus and between the battery and thetrackrails and a plurality of rockable yielding contact-shoes attachedto said vehicle each contact-shoe having a protective housing adapttoengagcrits respective conductor, and electric connection between saidcontactshoes and said signal apparatus.

In testimony whereof I a'flix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EMIL L. NOLTING.

Witnesses:

WM. QUADE; WM. J. H. J. ABELMANN.

